PKL 2024: Patna Pirates full schedule, SWOT analysis, live streaming
Patna Pirates, the most successful team in Pro Kabaddi League history, will aim to regain their dominance in 2024 with the help of talented young stars like Sandeep, Ankit, and Sudhakar in their squad
The Pro Kabaddi League 2024 is set to commence on Thursday, October 18, in Hyderabad, marking the start of the race for the ultimate prize in the eleventh season of India’s second most-watched sport. The 12 participating teams finalised their squads for the new season after completing the retention and auction process earlier this year. But what does the team line-up look like, and what can fans expect from the players of their favourite teams? One such team is the most successful in the league’s history, Patna Pirates, and here is the SWOT analysis of the three-time champions.
Strengths
Patna Pirates' biggest strength in the upcoming season will be their balanced squad, particularly their experienced defence. The team has retained Ankit and acquired the services of Shubham Shinde through the auction, who will anchor the defence. Additionally, the Pirates have brought back Korean Jang Kun Lee, which makes for a balanced side in PKL 2024.
While the defence looks solid, Patna Pirates' raiding department lacks depth and experience after losing their skipper from last season, Sachin Tanwar, during the auction. Sandeep and Sudhakar will lead the raiding unit, along with Meetu Sharma. All three players have proven to be match-winners, but their consistency has always been an issue. If they fail to deliver, the team will not have much to fall back on in terms of experience.
Opportunities
Following their tried and trusted pattern, the Pirates will once again have a young squad taking the mat. What history confirms about the three-time champions is that they are more inclined to nurture stars than buy them. With many places up for grabs in the upcoming season, we can expect some new and exciting talents to rise.
Threats
A significant threat for the Pirates this season could be their over-reliance on a few key players. If teams manage to neutralise Ankit, Shubham, and Meetu, the Pirates could find themselves in trouble, especially given the relative inexperience of some of their other players.